Can Alexa call 911 during an Emergency?
By Bradly Spicer Published on: June 22nd, 2021
Can Alexa call 911? – Unfortunately, whilst Alexa can call your phone when you’ve lost it, it cannot call 911 without some configuration and changes. Through the use of an Echo Connect device, you can use VOIP or Landline through your device.
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How to trigger an emergency call with your Amazon Alexa
There are multiple ways of calling the police via your Amazon Alexa, unfortunately, it does require additional add-ons to your base Amazon Alexa as of the moment.The Echo Connect is an additional device, that can be plugged into your network to allow you to call any phone number through your Alexa devices.
Amazon Echo Connect
It works as a speaker-phone, so you do need to manually connect it to your phone line. Unfortunately, this device is extremely hard to get hold of as it’s perpetually “Unavailable” on Amazon.com and .co.uk.
You can follow these steps to set up your Echo Connect if you do get hold of one:
- Set your Echo Connect next to your modem or phone line jack and plug it in
- Open the Alexa App in your Smart Phone (iPhone / Android Phone)
- Select the three lines in the bottom right
- Select “Settings”
- Select “Add Device”
- Select “Amazon Echo”
- Select Echo Connect” and follow the on-screen steps
- You can then call the Emergency Services by saying “Alexa, Call 911”
Using an alarm system
Luckily, some Home Security Alarm Systems actually allow you to call them, arm & disarm & trigger a panic alarm all through your Alexa device which can in turn lead to your security company calling the emergency services on your behalf. Whilst this isn’t perfect, it’s definitely a great backup option!
This option mostly applies in the US but if you’re from other areas, security companies are slowly starting to become more aware, it’s definitely worth checking if our list of Alarm companies applies here:
| Alarm System | Can it activate a Panic Alarm? | Can you Arm / Disarm it by voice? | Does it require additional hardware? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abode | Yes | Yes | No |
| Alarm.com | No | Yes | No |
| Ring Security | No | Yes | Yes |
| Scout Alarm | Yes | Yes | No |
| SimpliSafe | No | Yes | Yes |
There’s plenty of Smart Home security systems out there for you to check, some of the budget ones work perfectly fine but with the rise in crime and security risks, it’s definitely worth checking out some of the competitors. One of our favorites to have indoors and out is the Blink Mini & XT2 which are always worth grabbing on Black Friday or Prime Day.
